2009 Monsterball Introduces ''Victims of Vaudeville'' on Halloween

Quick Facts

Planned by students in Jill O'Neill's arts production/performance class, the 2009 Monsterball will be held on Halloween beginning at 7:30 p.m. The ball, held in Byrnes Auditorium, will feature a variety of acts including concerts, movement pieces and dances.

ROCK HILL, S.C. - From saloon hall performers to burlesque dancers, jugglers and acrobats, Halloween at Winthrop this year will have a distinct Vaudeville flavor.

This colorful 1930s era of variety entertainment will come to life on Saturday, Oct. 31, during the 2009 Monsterball: "Victims of Vaudeville," a spooky original event planned, produced and performed by students in flute instructor Jill O’Neill’s “Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Arts Production and Performance” class. The ball begins Halloween night at 7:30 p.m. in Byrnes Auditorium.

Included in the diverse lineup of events will be performances by the Flute Choir and the Clarinet Choir; a movement performance to Edgar Allen Poe’s “Tell-Tale Heart”; two dance performances, “Thriller Bang Bang” and “Bite Me”; “The Final Kiss,” a short play; a class dance performance to “I Put a Spell on You”; a magician; and more. There will be an after-party on the Byrnes lawn (rain location: Byrnes Auditorium).

According to freshman theatre major Brett Wilson (Hanahan, S.C.), the "Victims of Vaudeville" concept evolved from a "Moulin Rouge"-style event featuring a variety of entertainment, including concerts, short plays and choreographed movements performances and dances.

Wilson, in charge of publicity for the 2009 Monsterball, said the event will offer students, faculty, staff and friends a unique chance to experience "events for artists and non-artists alike."

“It’s not often that you have music and dancing and visual arts all in one show,” Wilson said. "The Arts Ball will offer something for everyone."

Junior illustration major Mel Werschky of Milan, Italy, designed the poster for this year's ball.

The 2009 Monsterball, sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is free and open to the public and is an approved cultural event.